Hoax Nation

In this cook’s tour of 2500 years of tall stories about and from Australia, Melbourne writer Simon Caterson shows why Australia has been a hoax nation since ancient times. From imaginary voyages through to modern art frauds and literary scandals and impostures, Hoax Nation covers everything from Plato to Norma Khouri, the Tichborne Claimant to Ern Malley. Though many of these deceptions – such as Malley and Helen Demidenko – are well known, Caterson has also brought to light many other, lesser-known fakes and pretenders, weaving a colourful and unique tapestry of lies and fabulation that will complement and challenge the conventional narrative of Australian history.